GREATER Dandenong’s faith and spiritual leaders are uniting against family violence.
The municipality’s interfaith network members are promoting equality and respect toward women.
Equality between women and men is among the Baha’i faith’s cardinal beliefs.
“The world of humanity is possessed of two wings – the male and the female,” ‘Abdu’l-Baha said in 1912.
“So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength the bird will not fly.
“Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized.”
The Brahma Kumaris recognise the intrinsic worth of every human being and follow the understanding that equality and respect between men and women is based on the awareness that all are peaceful souls.
Equality is promoted in Buddhism. It is recognised that people are different due to their physical and psychological factors, but that all need to be treated equally.
Christianity teaches that people must love others as they would want to be loved.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Paul, in Galtians, 3:28
Hindu tradition holds a high regard for and the greatest respect to women within its tradition as seen in the honour it gives for the Goddess, who is portrayed as the feminine embodiment of important qualities and powers.
“Women must be honoured and adorned by their fathers, brothers, husbands, and brothers in law, who desire their own welfare.
“Where women are honoured, there the gods are pleased; but where they are not honoured, no sacred rite yields rewards.
“Where the female relations live in grief, the family soon wholly perishes; but that family where they are not unhappy ever prospers.” – Manu Smriti III.55-59
Islam teaches that Allah Almighty says that all people are equal, regardless of gender.
“The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another.” – At-Tawbah 9:71
Jewish law fosters the belief that men and women are equal partners within the family unit, and men must behave with the utmost respect to their partners.
“A husband should love his wife as much as he does himself and should respect her more than he respects himself.” – Yevomot 62b
Sathya Sai promotes respect and equality of men, women and children to maintain the love, peace and harmony in the family circle.
Sikhism is built on the foundation of equality for all humans, irrespective of gender, faith, caste, or creed.
